EAP Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the EAP exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 EAP Exam Format at a Glance
📚 EAP Topics to Study (21)
✍️ Sample EAP Questions & Answers
1. A student is delivering a presentation and an audience member asks a complex question that the student does not know the answer to. What is the MOST professional way to handle this situation?
It is professional and honest to admit when you don't know an answer. Acknowledging the question and offering to provide the information later shows respect for the audience member and maintains the presenter's credibility. Ignoring the question or providing a speculative answer can damage credibility.
2. Sonia is so determined and stubborn that she never _____ until she gets exactly what she wants.
Explanation: "Gives up" means to stop trying to achieve something. In the context of the sentence, it conveys the idea that Sonia persists until she achieves her desired outcome. "Gives out," "gave in," and "gave away" do not accurately convey the sense of persistence or determination implied in the sentence.
3. Which sentence correctly replaces the informal phrasal verb with a more formal, single-word equivalent suitable for academic writing?
In formal writing, it is often better to replace phrasal verbs with single-word verbs. "Investigate" is a more formal and appropriate alternative to the phrasal verb "look into." "Put off" should be "postpone," and "went up" should be "increased."
4. Which of the following is an example of an 'approximator' used as a hedging device?
Approximators such as 'approximately,' 'around,' and 'about' hedge numerical claims by signaling that the figure is not exact.
5. Which transition word best signals a contrast in academic writing?
'However' is used to introduce a contrasting idea or to qualify a previous statement in academic writing.
6. What is the primary purpose of hedging language in academic writing?
Hedging allows writers to present claims tentatively, showing awareness that findings may be limited or subject to qualification.